Epstein Survivor Condemns Leslie Wexner's 'Abhorrent' Congressional Testimony
A survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse has publicly criticised billionaire Leslie Wexner, branding his recent deposition to Congress as "abhorrent." Maria Farmer, who alleges she suffered abuse at the hands of Epstein and his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell decades ago, accuses the retail mogul of minimising his relationship with the dead sex offender during the hearing.
Wexner's Deposition Under Scrutiny
Leslie Wexner, the 88-year-old founder of L Brands, underwent a nearly five-hour deposition on Wednesday with the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers subpoenaed Wexner following the Department of Justice's latest release of Epstein-related files, which unveiled new details about his connection to Epstein, who once served as his financial adviser.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not imply any wrongdoing, and Wexner has never faced criminal charges. He has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities.
"I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein," Wexner stated ahead of the interview. "He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide."
Maria Farmer's Allegations
In a statement shared with The Independent on Saturday, Farmer expressed her views on Wexner's testimony. "I am glad Wexner's deposition, this lever of power, is being used to try to achieve some accountability and justice for the many survivors whose trauma has for so long been ignored, dismissed, or discounted," she said.
"Wexner's reported downplaying of his relationship with Epstein is abhorrent, particularly given Maxwell's own description of him as Epstein's closest friend. I am also troubled by Wexner's stated lack of knowledge about my abuse and suffering on his property," Farmer added.
Farmer detailed that the abuse began 30 years ago, in the summer of 1996, when she served as the artist-in-residence at Wexner's estate. She was instructed to obtain a driver's licence using the address of Wexner's home. "Later that summer, while working and living on Wexner's estate, I suffered abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell," she recounted.
Her statement included a photo of her driver's licence from that time, which appears to list an Ohio address. Farmer also alleged that Epstein stole photographs of her and her minor sisters, describing them as "private anatomically-revealing photographs I used for artistic reference and kept numbered in a lockbox."
"When I attempted to escape Wexner's estate, I was threatened by his employees and associates, sharpshooters, guns and guard dogs, and held against my will," she claimed.
Escape and FBI Report
Farmer said she eventually managed to escape and reported Epstein and Maxwell to law enforcement. "I told the FBI about Epstein and Maxwell's sexual abuse of me on Wexner's estate, the theft there of the images, and being held on Wexner's estate," she explained.
Her report to the FBI was included in a collection of Epstein-related files released late last year. The document reveals that Farmer informed the agency Epstein had stolen photos she had taken of her 12- and 16-year-old sisters. According to The New York Times, Farmer later clarified in an interview that this included nude photographs.
Wexner's Response and Legal Drama
A spokesperson for Wexner directed The Independent to his opening statement to the committee, in which he acknowledged "the survivors of Epstein's terrible crimes and the devastation that each of them has endured as a result," and stated that his "heart goes out to each of them."
"As Mr. Wexner testified, he never even heard of Maria Farmer until her account surfaced in the media," the spokesperson told The Independent. "Ms. Farmer's statement is incorrect in many respects. Contrary to her statement, Epstein's house, where the abuse is said to have occurred, was not on land owned by the Wexners, was nearly one half mile away from the Wexner home, and was accessed through a separate driveway not controlled by Wexner security. There were no sharp shooters or guard dogs policing Epstein's property."
Wexner, the former CEO of Victoria's Secret, has stated that he severed ties with Epstein in 2007 after discovering the financier was stealing from him. Epstein pleaded guilty to state-level charges of soliciting prostitution in Florida in 2008.
During the deposition, Wexner told lawmakers he was "conned by the World Olympic, all-time con artist." "As far as I was concerned, once we knew how bad he was, he was dead," he said. When questioned about Farmer, Wexner replied, "I never met her, didn't know she was here, didn't know she was abused."
The deposition also garnered attention after Wexner's attorney, Michael Levy, was caught on a hot mic telling him, "I will f***ing kill you if you answer another question with more than five words."
The Independent has reached out to Maxwell's attorney for comment on the matter.
